A longitudinal evaluation of dexamethasone and cortisol plasma concentrations in the dexamethasone suppression test before and during treatment with antidepressant drugs.
Thirty depressed in- and outpatients received serial dexamethasone suppression tests (DSTs). Plasma dexamethasone and cortisol concentrations were drawn at 1600 on the day following a 1-mg oral dose of dexamethasone. The first DST was performed after patients were drug-free for a period of 1 week; the second, third, and fourth DSTs while patients received antidepressant medication. Dexamethasone and cortisol concentrations drawn in the drug-free period correlated significantly. The cortisol to dexamethasone ratio changed significantly with time in DST nonsuppressors, suggesting that nonsuppression is associated with an altered pharmacodynamic response of the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis to dexamethasone during depression. When dexamethasone concentrations from the drug-free period were compared with those drawn during antidepressant treatment, no significant differences were noted.
Guthrie
S K
SK
College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-1065.
Vartanian
L
L
Grunhaus
L
L
Hariharan
M
M
Pande
A
A
Haskett
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone